Editing Dr. Mario (SSB4)

{{Disambig2|Dr. Mario's appearance in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''|the character in other contexts, see [[Dr. Mario]]; for information on the character of whom Dr. Mario is a [[clone]]|Mario (SSB4)}}

|name         = Dr. Mario

|image       = [[Image:Dr. Mario SSB4.png|250px|Dr. Mario]]

|game         = SSB4

|ssbgame1     = SSBM

|tier = E

|ranking = 51

'''Dr. Mario''' ({{ja|Dr. マリオ|Dokutā Mario}}, ''Dr. Mario'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. His return to the series was announced on [[Super Smash Bros. 4 Official Site|''SSB4''{{'}}s official website]] on October 9th, 2014, during which {{SSB4|Dark Pit}} was also revealed.<ref>[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/138070-Secret-Super-Smash-Bros-Characters-Revealed-by-Nintendo#&gid=gallery_3377&pid=1 More "Secret" ''Super Smash Bros.'' Characters Officially Revealed]</ref> Charles Martinet reprises his role as Dr. Mario's voice actor, albeit via Mario's voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

Dr. Mario is currently ranked 51st out of 58 on the [[tier list]], placing him in the E tier. This is a significant drop from his mid-tier placement in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', where his ranking of 11th out of 26 placed him above [[Mario (SSBM)|his normal self]]. The implementation of multipliers to most of Dr. Mario's moveset and some of his attributes result in him functioning like a stronger, yet slower {{SSB4|Mario}}. As a result, his overall damage output and KO potential are above-average for a character of his size and weight. Like Mario, Dr. Mario's frame data is very fast in regard to start-up lag. In addition to granting him a decent combo game, this trait makes him both difficult to [[Punishment|punish]] and very effective at punishing.

However, the multipliers applied to Dr. Mario's [[walk]]ing speed, [[dash]]ing speed, [[air speed]] and [[air acceleration]] collectively result in him being considerably slower and less nimble than Mario. Due to some moveset adjustments and changes to game mechanics, Dr. Mario's combo game is also inferior to Mario's in regard to both versatility and consistency.

Overall, Dr. Mario's weaknesses outweigh his strengths, which has been reflected in his tournament representation and results both being very sparse throughout ''SSB4''{{'}}s lifespan. Although he is considered non-viable in competitive play, especially in comparison to Mario, Dr. Mario has nevertheless achieved instances of success, thanks to {{Sm|2ManyCooks}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, {{Sm|Koolaid}} and {{Sm|B7Games}}.

As a [[clone]] of a {{SSB4|Mario}}, Dr. Mario is a [[Weight|middleweight]] that can [[wall jump]]. Although they share an overwhelming number of animations and the exact same in-game values, Dr. Mario's height is below-average because of him oddly being marginally shorter than his normal self, while his [[Crouching|crouch]] is not as low as Mario's. Unlike in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario now fights like a stronger, yet slower Mario: multipliers are applied to his [[walk]] and [[dash]] speeds (0.832×), as well as certain aerial attributes such as [[air speed]], [[air acceleration]], and [[jump]] heights (0.808×). As a result, these modified attributes collectively render Dr. Mario's overall mobility as sub-par, although the decreased jump height also makes his [[short hop]] more effective. Outside of these attributes, Dr. Mario and Mario share the same [[falling speed|falling]] and [[fast fall]]ing speeds, [[traction]], and [[gravity]].

However, a multiplier is also applied to almost the entirety of Dr. Mario's moveset: aside from his up tilt, forward aerial, clean back aerial, down aerial, up special and down special, a multiplier (1.12×) is applied to the remainder of Dr. Mario's attacks.<ref name="DamageMultiplier"/> This results in him being noticeably more efficient at KOing in comparison to Mario, as his smash attacks, clean forward aerial, clean back aerial and clean [[Super Jump Punch]] are all excellent KOing options. Like his normal self, Dr. Mario has excellent frame data: when not counting [[special move]]s, the overall start-up lag of his normal moveset is the fifth fastest in the game. As a result, Dr. Mario is difficult to [[Punishment|punish]] and very effective at punishing.

Other noticeable differences between Dr. Mario and Mario are seen in their movesets and, by extension, their playstyles. Although Dr. Mario's frame data is only marginally slower than Mario's, his higher overall damage output and overall slower movement speed make him much better suited to a bait and punish playstyle, instead of the healthy balance of offense and defense that his normal self is effective at using. Dr. Mario's combo game is less varied and consistent compared to his normal self's. Despite this, his combos deal respectable damage in spite of their short lengths, similarly to {{SSB4|Ike}}'s.

He also shares two useful combo starters with Mario, thanks to said moves being modified since ''Melee''. Down tilt is the most effective of the two: although it is short-ranged, it is very reliable at low to high percentages, with useful follow-ups including itself, neutral attack, up tilt, his smash attacks, back aerial, up aerial, and Super Jump Punch. Like Super Jump Punch, forward aerial can function as a KO mix-up at high percentages, but requires a [[Mindgame#Predicting|hard read]]. Up tilt can combo into itself reliably, albeit not as consistently as Mario's version because of its higher damage output. However, its higher damage output makes it better at juggling, and even makes it a situational KOing option at very high percentages.

Outside of these moves, up smash functions almost identically to Luigi's version instead of Mario's version: it launches the opponent diagonally instead of vertically, and will launch them in the opposite direction of where Dr. Mario is facing so long as they are in front of him. Compared to Luigi's, however, it launches at a lower angle. As a result, Dr. Mario's version has much greater combo potential when uncharged: it can combo into itself, up tilt and Super Jump Punch at 0%-10%, and into forward and down tilt at 10%-15%. On an unrelated note, its launching angle also makes it much better at edge-guarding or setting up edge-guards compared to Mario and Luigi's versions.  

Dr. Mario possesses a decent grab game. His overall grab is range is average, but each of his grabs have minimal start-up and ending lag. Dr. Mario's pummel also has the distinction of being the most damaging in the game by default, as it is surpassed by {{SSB4|Olimar}} and {{SSB4|Shulk}}'s pummels only if they use [[Pikmin (species)|White Pikmin]] and the [[Monado Arts|Buster Art]], respectively. Forward throw is useful for initiating [[Edge-guarding|edge-guards]] and can even combo into dash attack at 0%-20%, whereas back throw is a viable KOing option at high percentages. Up throw is able to initiate aerial pressure, especially on fast-fallers, but is effectively his least useful throw. Lastly, down throw is able to combo into Dr. Tornado at low percentages, and into up aerial at low to medium percentages. It can also combo into up smash, down aerial and a [[reverse aerial rush]]ed back aerial, and even has forward aerial and Super Jump Punch as KO mix-ups at high percentages. However, up smash is only effective against the majority of the cast at 0%-10%, whereas the latter four follow-ups require hard reads.

Like his normal self, Dr. Mario's air game is above-average. Neutral aerial is a "reverse sex kick": its clean hitbox deals minimal damage, whereas its late hitbox deals more damage. Thanks to it hitting on frame 3 and having low landing lag, its clean hitbox is ideal for set-ups. Conversely, its late hitbox is decent at edge-guarding. Back aerial is also fast, [[Auto-canceling|auto-cancels]] with a short hop, and possesses a powerful clean hitbox, which collectively make it viable for KOing, edge-guarding and approaching. Forward aerial has considerable start-up lag, but its clean hitbox makes it the third strongest aerial of its kind, which results in it being lethal when [[Short hop fast fall L-cancel#Short hop fast fall|SHFF]]'d against opponents that are near the edge.

Up aerial's horizontal launching angle grants its beginning and ending frames decent combo potential into Super Jump Punch and back aerial, respectively, at low to medium percentages. This angle also makes its beginning frames capable of edge-guarding, unlike his normal self's up aerial. However, its launching angle also makes it much less effective at starting combos when SHFF'd or juggling compared to Mario's. Down aerial hits multiple times like [[Mario Tornado]] and has a horizontal launching angle like up aerial. As a result, it is much more effective for edge-guarding compared to Mario Tornado, yet completely unusable for juggling. Compared to Mario's up aerial and [[Mario Tornado]], however, Dr. Mario's up and down aerials are unable to KO outright because of their much lower knockback scaling and less damaging final hitbox, respectively.

In regard to special moves, [[Megavitamins]] travel farther in the air without landing compared to Mario's [[Fireball]], and they bounce twice instead of three times. [[Cape#Super Sheet|Super Sheet]]'s [[reflection]] hitbox has a longer duration compared to [[Cape]]. Due to its hitbox being positioned higher, it has more vertical range, yet less horizontal range in comparison. Most notably, Super Sheet no longer stalls him in midair like it did in ''Melee''. To alleviate the removal of Super Sheet's recovery potential, [[Dr. Tornado]] is now a much more integral part of Dr. Mario's recovery, thanks to it granting him a decent amount of horizontal distance when it is button mashed sufficiently.

Unlike [[F.L.U.D.D.]], Dr. Tornado deals damage. When coupled with its very high knockback scaling, [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] and [[transcendent priority]], it is useful for edge-guarding like F.L.U.D.D., albeit much riskier in comparison, and can out-prioritize their attacks. Due to [[Super Jump Punch]] consisting of a powerful clean hitbox and a weak late hitbox instead of multiple hitboxes like Mario's, it actually functions like a less polarized version of {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch. As a result, its clean hitbox makes it a viable KOing option unlike Mario's. Although it can no longer be canceled, Super Jump Punch can now be [[B-reversing|B-reversed]] upon landing its clean hitbox like Mario's can upon start-up. This makes it useful for edge-guarding, and can enable Dr. Mario to avoid punishment and/or hit an opponent behind himself upon hitting his primary target.

However, Dr. Mario's flaws are significantly more noticeable in comparison to Mario's. Although he boasts excellent KO potential, it is inconsistent. This is most obvious with up smash: its launching angle makes it reliable at KOing only while near the edge, whereas Mario and, to a lesser degree, Luigi's up smashes KO reliably from anywhere on-stage because of their higher launching angles. By extension, he has minimal KO set-ups like Mario. Dr. Mario's sluggish mobility compounds another notable weakness: his recovery. Despite now being able to wall jump, the combination of his slow air speed, slow air acceleration, and the mediocre distance granted by Super Jump Punch results in his recovery being predictable like Mario's. However, Dr. Mario can extend his recovery by making use of Dr. Tornado, which allows him to gain slightly better horizontal distance compared to his normal self, as well as fend off edge-guarders.

Due to his overall recovery granting noticeably less vertical distance compared to Mario's, Dr. Mario is very vulnerable to most [[meteor smash]]es. As a result, it is optimal for him to read the opponent when trying to return to the stage knowing when and how to make use of Dr. Tornado. Even though Dr. Mario may not need to use his double jump to recover, any sufficiently strong attacks, particularly [[semi-spike]]s, may launch him too far away to recover properly. Lastly, Dr. Mario is an all-rounder like his normal self, and is thus outclassed in certain aspects by other characters: {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}} and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}} have more power and much better overall mobility; Luigi and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} have much more versatile combo games; and {{SSB4|R.O.B.}} and {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}} have much better zoning abilities.

Ol' One-Two gives Dr. Mario a fast and extremely powerful KOing option that can KO at very low percentages, but at the cost of further hindering his already sub-par recovery. Conversely, Super Jump functions in the exact opposite way: it grants noticeably better recovery, but deals no damage. However, Soaring Tornado is arguably Dr. Mario's best custom move because of its utility. It grants noticeably better vertical recovery, has incredible edge-guarding potential thanks to its [[wind]]box and hitbox, and its hitbox is powerful enough to KO early either on-stage or off-stage. However, these benefits come at the cost of it granting no horizontal recovery. Conversely, Clothesline Tornado is effectively his worst custom move: it boasts impressive power, yet further hinders his recovery, has a shorter duration, and has slower start-up lag.

Overall, Dr. Mario's fast frame data enables him to pressure and/or punish the opponent effectively at close range, while his above-average damage output makes him capable of KOing easily. Unlike Mario, however, his slow mobility hinders his [[neutral game]] to the point that he is largely reliant on baiting and punishing. By extension, his sub-par recovery makes him a less capable edge-guarder compared to his normal self. Although Dr. Mario's tournament representation and results are both extremely sparse because of his weaknesses outweighing his strengths, he has nevertheless achieved some instances of success, thanks to {{Sm|2ManyCooks}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, {{Sm|Koolaid}} and {{Sm|B7Games}}.

==Changes from ''Melee''==

Dr. Mario became one of the most noticeably reworked [[veteran]]s upon his transition from ''Melee'' to ''SSB4''. Unlike in ''Melee'', he now functions as a stronger, yet slower Mario because of multipliers being applied to the majority of his moveset and some of his attributes. However, Dr. Mario's stronger moveset does not compensate for his much slower mobility. As a result, he is among the few characters to have been truly nerfed in the transition to ''SSB4''.

Aside from the multipliers, changes to game mechanics have indirectly buffed and nerfed Dr. Mario. [[Rage]] makes his KOing options KO even heavyweights with relative ease. Additionally, the higher damage multiplier for fully charged smash attacks makes his fully charged forward and up smashes even more potent. Lastly, the changes to shields and [[shieldstun]] supplement Dr. Mario's smash attacks by making them much better at pressuring shields. However, the removal of [[chain grab]]bing significantly worsens his up and down throws' damage racking potentials, while the removal of [[wavedash]]ing further compounds his already worsened approach.

However, several of Dr. Mario's moves have been ambivalently buffed and nerfed. Up tilt's consistent angle makes more reliable for combo, but at the cost of its versatility. Up smash is no longer a [[spike]], which makes its KO potential more consistent at the cost of significantly worsening its ability to start combos. Down smash's front hit is now a semi-spike, but has a much lower damage output. Neutral aerial's lower damage output makes its clean hitbox better for set-ups, yet removes its late hitbox's KO potential. Back aerial's clean hitbox now possesses KO potential, yet it is no longer a semi-spike. Lastly, Super Jump Punch can now be [[B-reversing|B-reversed]] upon landing its clean hitbox, but at the cost of its ability to be [[Super Jump Punch#Up-B cancel|canceled]].

Despite being poor in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario's recovery also received a mix of buffs and nerfs. His jump is higher, his air speed is faster, he can now [[wall jump]] like his normal self, and [[Dr. Tornado]] can now be moved horizontally. However, Dr. Tornado now covers much less vertical distance, while [[Cape#Super Sheet|Super Sheet]] no longer stalls him in the air. As a result, Dr. Mario is forced to mix up the usage of Dr. Tornado by using it before his jump, before his double jump, or after his double jump.

*{{change|Dr. Mario's design is now a combination of his appearance as of ''{{s|mariowiki|Dr. Mario Online Rx}}'', and his appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''. His fair skin, dark brown hair, fully buttoned {{s|wikipedia|white coat}}, red tie, and tawny shoes are from ''Online Rx'' and subsequent [[mariowiki:Dr. Mario (series)|''Dr. Mario'' games]], whereas his white coat's loose sleeves and dark gray pants are from ''Melee''.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's pants are now slightly rolled up at his ankles. His stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are also dark gray and dark taupe, respectively, instead of steel blue and cordovan, respectively. These changes are original to ''SSB4''.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario now has an [[on-screen appearance]], an up [[taunt]], and a down taunt.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has a new [[idle pose]]. He punches his open palm with his fist. However, his stance while holding a light [[item]] is now identical to {{SSB4|Mario}}'s.}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario [[dash]]es slower (1.5 → 1.328).}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario's [[traction]] is lower (0.6 → 0.45), as it is now identical to Mario's.}}

*{{buff|[[Roll]]s and [[air dodge]] have decreased ending lag (frame 31 → 30 (rolls), frame 48 → 33 (air dodge)).}}

*{{nerf|[[Sidestep]] has increased ending lag (frame 22 → 27).}}

*{{buff|Sidestep has increased intangibility frames (frames 2-15 → 3-17).}}  

*{{buff|[[Jump]] is higher and Dr. Mario can now [[wall jump]].}}

*{{change|Backward jump's animation has changed. Dr. Mario now performs a [[mariowiki:Somersault|Backward Somersault]] repeatedly, instead of once.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral attack deals less damage (4% (hit 1)/3% (hit 2)/6% (hit 3) → 2.8%/1.68%/4.48%), although its last hit's knockback was somewhat compensated (18 (base)/100 (scaling) → 45/80). It also has increased ending lag (frame 16 (hit 1)/19 (hit 2)/23 (hit 3) → 23/25/36).}}

*{{buff|Neutral attack's first hit is now a consecutive jab. Its second hit also has decreased start-up lag (frame 3 → 2), which makes it connect together better with its first hit.}}

*{{change|Neutral attack's first and second hits' angles have been altered (83°/83°/85° (both) → 60°/70°/80° (hit 1)/70°/78°/88° (hit 2)).}}

*{{nerf|Neutral attack's last hit has increased start-up lag (frame 5 → 7) and a shorter duration (frames 5-9 → 7-8).}}

*{{nerf|All tilt attacks have shorter durations (frames 4-8 → 5-7 (forward), frames 4-12 → 5-11 (up), frames 5-8 → 5-7 (down)).}}

*{{change|Forward tilt now deals consistent damage (9% (upward)/8% (non-angled)/7% (downward) → 7.84% (all)).}}

*{{nerf|Forward and up tilts have increased start-up lag (frame 4 → 5).}}

*{{change|Up tilt deals less damage (10% (clean)/8% (late) → 7.056%). Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up tilt's angle has also been altered ([[Sakurai angle|361°]] (clean)/100° (late) → 96°). These changes improve its combo potential, but hinder its versatility.}}

*{{buff|Down tilt deals less damage (9% → 7.84% (body)/5.6% (foot)), has decreased ending lag (frame 33 → 28), and its angle has been altered (150° → 80° (body/foot)). Altogether, these changes grant it combo potential at low to high percentages.}}

*{{change|Dash attack deals less damage (9% (clean)/8% (late) → 8.96%/6.72%). However, its clean hitbox's knockback was compensated (70 (base)/30 (scaling) → 90/42) and its late hitbox's knockback was somewhat compensated (60 (base)/50 (scaling) → 90/42). Its angle has also been altered (80° (clean)/85° (late) → 90° (both)). Altogether, these changes slightly improve its combo potential at low percentages, but slightly hinder its spacing potential.}}

*{{change|Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, down smash's back hit now deals consistent damage (15% (clean)/13% (late) → 13.44%). However, its knockback was somewhat compensated (45 (base)/75 (scaling) → 30/100). These changes improve its KO potential, but hinder its spacing potential.}}

*{{buff|Due to its angle being altered (361° (front/back) → 32° (front)/30° (back)), down smash is now a [[semi-spike]]. This significantly improves its edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{change|Clean neutral aerial deals 4.4% less damage (10% → 5.6%) and its angle has been altered (50° → 361°). These changes improve its combo potential, but hinder its spacing and edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{nerf|Late neutral aerial deals 5.04% less damage (14% → 8.96%) and has decreased knockback (20 (base)/100 (scaling) → 13/90), hindering its spacing potential and removing its KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral aerial has a shorter duration (frames 3-31 → 3-27).}}

*{{buff|Neutral and forward aerials auto-cancel earlier (frame 36> → 34> (neutral), frame 44> → 43> (forward)).}}

*{{change|Due to its arm hitbox being removed, forward aerial now deals consistent damage (17% (arm)/16% (fist) → 16.8%). However, its knockback was somewhat compensated (50 (base)/100 (scaling) (arm)/40/100 (fist) → 30/102).}}

*{{change|Forward aerial has received an early hitbox and a late hitbox that deal 11.2% and 10.08%, respectively, and launch at 50°. This decreases its start-up lag (frame 18 → 16) and lengthens its duration (frames 18-22 → 16-22), but makes it more susceptible to punishment at low to medium percentages.}}

*{{buff|Back aerial deals more damage (8% (clean)/7% (late) → 13.44%/7.84%), although its knockback was compensated (43 (base)/65 (scaling) → 10/95 (clean), 20 (base)/100 (scaling) → 7/90 (late)). These changes significantly improve its clean hitbox's KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|Back aerial has increased ending lag (frame 29 → 34) and a shorter duration (frames 6-16 → 6-13). Due to its angle being altered (28° → 361°), clean back aerial is also no longer a semi-spike, hindering its edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{buff|Up aerial deals 2.16% less damage (10% → 7.84%), although its base knockback was compensated (0 → 9). It also has decreased ending lag (frame 34 → 32) and a longer duration (frames 4-9 → 4-12). Altogether, these changes improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages.}}

*{{change|Up aerial's angle has been altered (55° → 45°). This improves its edge-guarding potential, but significantly hinders its juggling potential.}}

*{{nerf|Up and down aerials auto-cancel later (frame 16> → 18> (up), frame 33> → 45> (down)).}}

*{{nerf|Due to consisting of five hits instead of seven, down aerial deals 10.024% less damage (21% → 10.976%).}}

*{{change|Down aerial now consists of a consistent hitbox that re-hits every 4 frames and launches at 95°/[[Autolink angle|366°]], instead of multiple hitboxes every 3 frames that launch at 80°. This makes its hits connect together better, but shortens its duration (frames 10-29 → 11-27).}}

*{{nerf|Down aerial has increased start-up (frame 10 → 11) and ending lag (frame 38 → 52).}}

*{{buff|Down aerial has received a concluding hitbox and a landing hitbox that deal 3.36% and 2.24% respectively, and launch at 45° and 361° respectively. These changes improve its safety.}}

*{{buff|The weakening of [[Smash directional influence|SDI]] makes down aerial significantly more difficult to escape from.}}

*{{buff|All grabs have increased ranges.}}

*{{buff|Standing and dash grabs have decreased start-up (frame 7 → 6 (standing), frame 11 → 8 (dash)) and ending lag (frame 31 → 29 (standing), frame 41 → 36 (dash)).}}

*{{buff|Pummel deals 0.64% more damage (3% → 3.64%), making it the most damaging pummel in the game by default. It is also faster (24 frames → 23).}}

*{{change|Forward throw deals 0.04% less damage (9% → 8.96%) and has decreased knockback scaling (72 → 60). This grants it combo potential into dash attack at low percentages, but hinders its edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{change|Up throw deals 0.16% less damage (8% → 7.84%) and has decreased knockback (70 (base)/80 (scaling) → 65/70). When coupled with the changes to [[hitstun]] canceling and the removal of [[chain grab]]bing, these changes slightly improve its combo potential at low percentages, but significantly hinder its damage racking potential.}}

*{{nerf|Back throw deals more damage (12% (throw)/8% (collateral) → 12.32%/8.96%), although its knockback was compensated (80 (base)/72 (scaling) → 70/60). This hinders its KO potential in spite of its higher damage output.}}

*{{change|Down throw deals 0.4% less damage (6% → 5.6%), although its knockback scaling was compensated (40 → 45). Its angle has also been altered (90° → 80°). When coupled with the changes to hitsun canceling and the removal of chain grabbing, these changes improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages, but significantly hinder its damage racking potential.}}

*{{change|Due to the introduction of [[tripping]], Dr. Mario has received a floor attack when he trips.}}

*{{buff|Front and back floor attacks deal 1.84% more damage (6% → 7.84%).}}

*{{change|Edge attack now deals consistent damage (6% (body)/8% (legs) → 7.84%).}}

 

*{{nerf|[[Megavitamins]] deal less damage (8% → 5.6% (early)/4.48% (late)) and have a smaller hitbox. They also have increased start-up (frame 12 → 17), ending lag (frame 44 → 53), and a shorter duration (frames 12-87 → 17-69).}}

*{{nerf|[[Cape#Super Sheet|Super Sheet]] deals less damage (12% (near)/10% (far) → 7.84%) and has decreased knockback (30 (base)/80 (scaling) → 0/0). It also has a significantly smaller hitbox.}}

*{{buff|Due to having a clean hitbox and a late hitbox instead of five consecutive hitboxes, [[Super Jump Punch]] has an altered damage output (5% (hit 1)/2% (hits 2-4)/3% (hit 5) → 13.44% (clean)/6.72% (late)). This significantly improves its KO potential in spite of its clean hitbox having less knockback (40 (base)/160 (scaling) → 30/100).}}

*{{buff|Super Jump Punch can now be [[B-reversing|B-reversed]] upon hitting with its clean hitbox, granting it edge-guarding potential and improving its safety.}}

*{{nerf|Super Jump Punch can no longer be [[Super Jump Punch#Up-B cancel|canceled]].}}

*{{change|Super Jump Punch's visual effects have changed. It no longer produces {{s|mariowiki|Coin}}s upon contact.}}

*{{nerf|[[Dr. Tornado]] deals less damage (13% (all grounded hits)/14% (all aerial hits) → 8.736% (all hits)) and has increased start-up lag (frame 8 → 10).}}

*{{buff|Dr. Tornado has decreased ending lag (frame 80 → 75). Its last hit also has increased knockback (75 (base)/120 (scaling) (grounded), 80 (base)/120 (scaling) (aerial) → 80/130 (both)), improving its edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{change|Dr. Tornado now consists of a consistent hitbox that re-hits every 6 frames and launch at 90°/180°/360°, instead of multiple hitboxes with short durations that launch at 180°/160°/100°. This makes its hits connect together better, but shortens its duration (frames 8-39 → 10-40).}}

*{{change|Dr. Tornado's last hit's angle has been altered (361° → 45°).}}

*{{change|Dr. Tornado's loop hits have lost their [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]], whereas its last hit has received transcendent priority. This allows its last hit to cancel out non-transcendent attacks, but hinders its loop hits' safety against incoming moves.}}

*{{buff|Dr. Tornado can now be moved horizontally, granting it approach and horizontal recovery potential.}}

*{{nerf|Aerial Dr. Tornado covers significantly less vertical distance, significantly hindering its vertical recovery potential.}}

*{{buff|The weakening of SDI makes Dr. Tornado significantly more difficult to escape from.}}

 

 

*{{buff|Aside from his up tilt, forward aerial, clean back aerial, down aerial, up special, and down special, Dr. Mario's other attacks use a multiplier of 1.12×.<ref name="DamageMultiplier"/> As a result, he is significantly stronger than Mario. However, this multiplier does not apply to [[item]]s or [[Reflection|reflected]] attacks.}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario's [[walk]]ing and [[dash]]ing speeds use a multiplier of 0.83×, his [[air speed]] uses a multiplier of 0.81×, and his [[air acceleration]] uses a multiplier of 0.82×. He also does not [[double jump]] as high as Mario. As a result, he is significantly less mobile than Mario.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario does not [[jump]] as high as Mario. This makes his [[short hop]] more effective, but makes his recovery less effective.}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario does not [[Crouching|crouch]] as low as Mario.}}

 

*{{nerf|Neutral attack's first two hits have more weight-based knockback (15/10/15 (hit 1)/18/15/18 (hit 2) → 30 (both)). Additionally, Dr. Mario's neutral attack's first two hits can launch the opponent diagonally or vertically (60°/70°/80° (hit 1), 70°/78°/88° (hit 2)), whereas Mario's can launch the opponent horizontally or vertically (361°/361°/80° (both)). Lastly, neutral attack has more ending lag (frame 20 (hit 1)/frame 22 (hit 2)/frame 34 (hit 3) → 23/25/36). Altogether, these differences make it less effective at [[jab cancel]]ing and [[Lock#Jab lock|jab locking]], and can result in lightweight and/or floaty characters escaping its entirety at high percentages.}}

*{{buff|Forward tilt has a longer duration (frames 5-6 → 5-7).}}

*{{change|Up tilt deals 1.556% more damage (5.5% → 7.056%). This makes it capable of KOing and more effective for juggling, but less effective for combos into itself past low percentages.}}

*{{buff|Due to its higher damage output, forward smash is more effective at KOing in spite of its lower knockback scaling (99 (sweetspot)/103 (sourspot) → 96/100).}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's forward smash's sweetspot and sourspot are on his arm and blast of [[electric]]ity respectively, whereas Mario's are on the [[flame]] and his arm respectively.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's forward smash has an [[electric]] [[effect]], whereas Mario's has a flame effect. This makes it safer on shield, but easier to [[Directional influence|DI]].}}

*{{change|Up smash has different knockback (32 (base)/94 (scaling) → 0/117). Dr. Mario's up smash also launches the opponent horizontally (130°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (83°). These differences make it significantly more effective for combos at low percentages and KOing while near the edge, but make it significantly less effective at KOing while away from the edge.}}

 

*{{change|Dr. Mario's neutral aerial deals more damage and has higher knockback the longer it is active, whereas Mario's functions oppositely.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral aerial has a shorter duration (frames 3-29 → 3-27).}}

*{{buff|Clean and late forward aerials deal more damage (14% (clean)/10% (late) → 16.8%/10.08%). Forward aerial also has more knockback scaling (80 (early/late)/78 (clean) → 95/102).}}

*{{nerf|Early forward aerial deals 0.8% less damage (12% → 11.2%).}}

*{{nerf|Clean forward aerial has less base knockback (32 → 30).}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's clean forward aerial launches the opponent diagonally (50°), whereas Mario's [[meteor smash]]es them (280°).}}

*{{buff|Clean back aerial deals 2.94% more damage (10.5% → 13.44%), making it more effective at KOing in spite of its lower knockback (12 (base)/106 (scaling) → 10/95).}}

*{{buff|Back aerial has a longer duration (frames 6-10 → 6-13).}}

*{{change|Up aerial has less knockback (10 (base)/135 (scaling) → 9/100). Dr. Mario's up aerial also launches the opponent diagonally (45°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (75°). These differences make its beginning frames capable of edge-guarding, and its ending frames better for aerial combos. However, they also make its beginning frames unusable for KOing, and significantly less effective for juggling or [[Short hop fast fall L-cancel#Short hop fast fall|SHFF]]'d combos.}}

*{{buff|Up aerial has less ending lag (frame 24 → 20) and a longer duration (frames 4-8 → 4-12).}}

*{{buff|Down aerial's loop hits deal 0.904% more damage (1% → 1.904%).}}

*{{nerf|Down aerial's last hit deals 1.64% less damage (5% → 3.36%) and has different knockback (80 (base)/100 (scaling) → 50/120). These differences make it less effective at KOing.}}

 

*{{buff|Dr. Mario's down throw launches the opponent vertically (80°), whereas Mario's launches them diagonally (68°). This makes its combos less susceptible to [[directional influence]].}}

*{{buff|Unlike [[Fireball]], [[Megavitamins]] cannot be [[absorb]]ed.}}

*{{change|Megavitamins bounce twice and at a higher angle, whereas Fireball bounces three times and at a lower angle.}}

*{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}}Dr. Mario keeps his fingers outstretched while using Megavitamins, whereas Mario curls his while using Fireball.}}

*{{buff|Compared to [[Cape]], [[Cape#Super Sheet|Super Sheet]]'s reflection hitbox has a longer duration (frames 6-20 → 6-22).}}

*{{change|Compared to Cape, Super Sheet's hitbox is positioned slightly upward. This results in it having slightly more vertical range, but slightly less horizontal range.}}

*{{nerf|Unlike aerial Cape, aerial Super Sheet does not stall Dr. Mario, making it unusable for recovery.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's [[Super Jump Punch]] consists of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, whereas Mario's consists of six hitboxes.}}

*{{buff|Due to its higher damage output, Dr. Mario's clean Super Jump Punch is significantly more effective at KOing in spite of its lower knockback (52 (base)/145 (scaling) → 30/100). Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch also has a longer duration than Mario's (frames 3-11 → 3-19).}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch retains its vertical distance from ''Melee'', whereas Mario's has increased, making it less effective for recovery.}}

*{{nerf|Unlike Mario's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch lacks [[intangibility]] on start-up.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch no longer produces {{s|mariowiki|Coin}}s upon contact, whereas Mario's now produces {{s|mariowiki|Star Coin}}s upon contact.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario retains [[Dr. Tornado]] as his down special, whereas Mario's has been [[F.L.U.D.D.]] as of ''Brawl''.}}

*{{buff|Unlike F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado deals damage.}}

*{{buff|Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado is significantly more effective for recovery.}}

*{{nerf|Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado has significantly less range, making it less effective at edge-guarding.}}

*{{change|[[Doctor Finale]] produces 2D and 3D Megavitamin-based effects and emits Megavitamins' contact sound effect, whereas [[Mario Finale]] produces 3D fiery effects and emits a burning sound effect.}}

 

*{{change|Dr. Mario uses Ties as defensive [[Equipment]], whereas Mario uses Overalls.}}

Dr. Mario has been buffed slightly via game updates. Updates [[1.0.4]] and [[1.0.6]] increased his forward aerial's damage output and knockback, which allow it to KO earlier. His KO potential was further improved in update [[1.1.0]], which increased his up smash's duration and knockback. Although the changes to [[shield]]s and [[shieldstun]] brought about by updates 1.1.0 and [[1.1.1]] hinder Dr. Mario's [[out of shield]] options because of his low traction, he also benefits from them unlike {{SSB4|Mario}}, thanks to his above-average damage output making his most powerful moves much safer on shield in comparison.

*{{buff|Up smash's knockback scaling increased|108|117, significantly improving its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Clothesline Tornado deals 1% more damage|10.2% (hit 1)/12.44% (hit 2)|11.2%/13.44%.}}

*{{change|Clothesline Tornado's first hit's knockback altered|60 (base)/120 (scaling)|100/70. This improves its spacing potential, but hinders its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Clothesline Tornado's first hit's hitbox size increased.}}  

|neutralname=&nbsp;

|neutraldesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Punch}} + Punch + {{s|mariowiki|Kick}} combo from ''Super Mario 64''. It hits on frame 2, which makes it among the fastest moves in the game. Its first hit can also [[Lock#Jab lock|jab lock]] like the first hit of [[Mario (SSB4)|his normal self]]'s neutral attack. However, its higher ending lag makes it less effective at jab locking and unreliable at [[jab cancel]]ing compared to Mario's.

|ftiltname=&nbsp;

|ftiltdesc=A wheel kick. It can be angled and is useful for jab locking. It is also decent for spacing beginning at 50%.

|utiltname=&nbsp;

|utiltdesc=A spinning uppercut. Compared to his normal self's up tilt, its higher damage output makes it better at juggling. By extension, it can even function as a situational KOing option, unlike Mario's. It KOs middleweights at 165% from anywhere on {{SSB4|Final Destination}} in {{for3ds}}, and at 156% in {{forwiiu}}. However, its higher damage output makes it less effective at chaining into itself past low percentages. It appears to be based on the second hit of the [[mariowiki:List of weapons in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars|Mega Glove]]'s combo from ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''.

|dtiltname=&nbsp;

|dtiltdesc=A legsweep. It is Dr. Mario's best combo starter, thanks to it hitting on frame 5 and launching at 80°. It can combo into neutral attack and a grab at 0%-15%; itself, all smash attacks and Super Jump Punch at 0%-20%; up tilt, a dashing up smash, and a short hopped Super Jump Punch at low to medium percentages; and back and up aerials at medium to high percentages. It also has forward aerial as a KO mix-up at high percentages, but it requires a hard read. However, it has short range.

|dashname=&nbsp;

|dashdesc=The Slide Kick from ''Super Mario 64''. It clean and late hitboxes both launch opponents at 90°, which make it better for set-ups compared to his normal self's dash attack. However, it has a fair amount of ending lag like Mario's.

|fsmashname=&nbsp;

|fsmashdesc=A palm thrust that produces a blast of [[electric]]ity. Unlike in ''Melee'', it now consists of a sweetspot and a sourspot: the former is on Dr. Mario's arm, whereas the latter is the blast of electricity. Its sweetspot's impressive damage output and high knockback scaling make it Dr. Mario's strongest smash attack. While near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, its upward angled, non-angled and downward angled sweetspot KOs middleweights at 72%, 78% and 74%, respectively. In comparison, it KOs middleweights at 64%, 69% and 66% when angled upward, not angled and angled downward, respectively, while near the edge in the ''Wii U'' version. Although its sourspot deals slightly less damage, it is also strong enough to KO reliably. While near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, its upward angled, non-angled and downward angled sourspot KOs middleweights at 89%, 94% and 90%, respectively. In comparison, it KOs middleweights at 80%, 85% and 82% when angled upward, not angled and angled downward, respectively, while near the edge in the ''Wii U'' version. Due to it hitting on frame 15 and having 30 frames of ending lag, however, it is very punishable.

|usmashname=&nbsp;

|usmashdesc=An upward arcing headbutt. It hits on frame 9, which is quite fast for a smash attack. It also renders Dr. Mario's head [[Intangibility|intangible]] throughout its duration like his normal self's up smash. However, its duration is slightly longer than Mario's. Unlike Mario's, it functions almost identically to {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s up smash: it launches the opponent diagonally instead of vertically, and will launch them in the opposite direction of where Dr. Mario is facing so long as they are in front of him. Compared to Luigi's, it launches at 130° instead of 110°, which grants it much greater combo and edge-guarding potential in comparison. When uncharged, it can combo into itself, up tilt and Super Jump Punch at 0%-10%, and into forward and down tilt at 10%-15%. It KOs middleweights at 105% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 96% in the ''Wii U'' version. However, its 39 frames of ending lag make it very punishable. Its launching angle also makes it unreliable at KOing while away from the edge, whereas Mario and, to a lesser degree, Luigi's versions can KO reliably from anywhere on-stage.

|dsmashname=&nbsp;

|dsmashdesc=The Sweep Kick from ''Super Mario 64''. Due to it hitting on frame 5, it is tied with {{SSB4|Pit}}, {{SSB4|Dark Pit}}, {{SSB4|Zelda}}, {{SSB4|Ryu}} and his normal self's down smashes for the second fastest smash attack of any kind in the game, being surpassed only by {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}'s [[buffer]]ed down smash. It is also a [[semi-spike]], which makes it excellent for edge-guarding. Depending on the opponent's position, both of its hits can potentially hit them. Its back hit KOs middleweights at 97% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 88% in the ''Wii U'' version. Although its front hit deals less damage, it is still powerful; it KOs middleweights at 121% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 110% in the ''Wii U'' version. However, it is Dr. Mario's least damaging smash attack, and its 29 frames of ending lag make it punishable.

|nairname=&nbsp;

|nairdesc=A flying kick. It hits on frame 3, which is the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Dr. Mario's aerials. Like in ''Melee'', it is a "reverse [[sex kick]]": its late hitbox deals more damage and has more knockback, whereas its clean hitbox deals less damage and has less knockback. It can also auto-cancel with a short hop. As a result, its late hitbox is decent for edge-guarding, whereas its clean hitbox is a useful set-up option when [[Short hop fast fall L-cancel#Short hop fast fall|SHFF]]'d and a decent combo breaker.

|fairname=&nbsp;

|fairdesc=Rears back his fist and then throws an [[wikipedia:Overhand (boxing)|overhand]]. It is useful for edge-guarding and, with a proper read, against on-stage opponents when SHFF'd. Unlike in ''Melee'', it now has early and late hitboxes; these hitboxes make it slightly safer, but lack KO potential in spite of their decent damage outputs. Unlike his normal self's forward aerial, its clean hitbox is not a [[meteor smash]], but instead launches at 50°. Regardless, Dr. Mario's clean forward aerial is the third strongest forward aerial in the game, as it is capable of KOing middleweights at 92% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 84% in the ''Wii U'' version. Due to it hitting on frame 16, having 37 frames of ending lag, and having 28 frames of landing lag, however, it is very punishable.

|bairname=&nbsp;

|bairdesc=A dropkick. Its hits on frame 6, while its clean hitbox has both a respectable damage output and high knockback scaling. Altogether, these traits make it one of Dr. Mario's most viable KOing options. Its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 134% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 123% in the ''Wii U'' version. It also has a moderately longer duration compared to his normal self's back aerial, which makes it more effective for spacing or edge-guarding.

|uairname=&nbsp;

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick. It hits on frame 4 and can auto-cancel with a short hop. Compared to his normal self's up aerial, it has much less knockback scaling, slightly less ending lag, a moderately longer duration, and launches at 45°. Altogether, these traits make its beginning and ending frames reliable for chaining into Super Jump Punch and back aerial, respectively, at low to medium percentages. Its launching angle also makes its beginning frames useful for edge-guarding. However, its lower knockback and launching angle make its beginning frames unusable for KOing, and significantly less effective for juggling or SHFF'd combos.

|dairname=&nbsp;

|dairdesc=A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. It [[Drill (archetype)|hits multiple times]], similarly to [[Mario Tornado]]. Its last hit also launches the opponent at 45°, which makes it usable for edge-guarding unlike Mario Tornado. However, it is considerably laggier than Mario Tornado. Unlike Mario Tornado, it is unusable for juggling and cannot auto-cancel with a short hop.

|grabname=&nbsp;

|pummelname=&nbsp;

|fthrowname=&nbsp;

|fthrowdesc=Spins the opponent around once and throws them forward. It is decent at setting up an edge-guard, but can also be followed up with dash attack at 0%-20%.

|bthrowname=&nbsp;

|bthrowdesc=Spins the opponent by their legs three times before throwing them backward. Although its knockback has decreased since ''Melee'', it is still strong enough to KO middleweights at 154% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 146% in the ''Wii U'' version. It also can hit nearby opponents during the spin. It is based on the throw that [[Mario|his normal self]] uses against [[Bowser]] in ''Super Mario 64''.

|uthrowname=&nbsp;

|dthrowname=&nbsp;

|dthrowdesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Body slam|body slam]]. It has average base knockback and low knockback scaling, which make it more effective for aerial combos compared to his normal self's down throw, but much less effective for grounded combos. It also launches at 80°, which makes its combos less susceptible to DI compared to Mario's. It can combo down aerial and [[Dr. Tornado]] at low percentages, and into up aerial and [[reverse aerial rush]]ed back aerial at low to medium percentages. However, its down aerial and back aerial combos require hard reads. It also has forward aerial and Super Jump Punch as KO mix-ups at high percentages, but they also require hard reads. In comparison, its only grounded combos are up tilt and up smash, which are effective against the majority of cast only at 0%.

|floorfdesc=Performs a modified version of the Sweep Kick from ''Super Mario 64'' before getting up.

|ssdefdesc=Waves a white sheet in front of himself. It deals damage, [[Reflection|reflects]] projectiles with 50% more power than they originally had, and [[reverse]]s opponents. Compared to [[Cape]], its hitbox is much smaller, but its reflection hitbox has a slightly longer duration. Unlike in ''Melee'', however, it lacks recovery potential because it no longer stalls Dr. Mario in midair.

|ssc1desc=The sheet discharges electricity, which launches opponents and destroys projectiles instead of reversing them and reflecting them, respectively. Unlike Super Sheet, it deals respectable damage and has knockback, which grant it KO potential. It KOs middleweights at 109% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. However, it has more ending lag.

|ssc2desc=The sheet has emits a small gust of wind that pushes opponents back. It is one of the best edge-guarding options in the game, thanks to the sheet itself possessing an extremely strong [[Wind#Pushing attacks|pushbox]]. However, it deals less damage and has slightly more ending lag.

|usdefdesc=A jumping uppercut. Unlike his normal self's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's version consists of clean and late hitboxes like {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch, which grants it much greater KO potential compared to Mario's. Its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 122% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 112% in the ''Wii U'' version. Like Mario's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's version now enables him to move himself in the opposite direction upon landing its clean hitbox, which makes it less punishable. Unlike to Mario's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's version lacks intangibility on start-up and its vertical travel distance has remained unchanged since ''Melee'', which make it worse for recovery.

|usc2desc=A [[Flame|flaming]] version that is significantly stronger. Its first hit leads reliably into its second hit, but it is not strictly necessary to use, thanks to its second hit's higher damage output, knockback and vertical angle making it reliable enough to score a KO on its own. Altogether, these traits make it an even better KOing option than Super Jump Punch, as it KOs middleweights at 96% from anywhere on Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. However, it covers much less vertical distance, and almost no horizontal distance.

|dsdefdesc=Rapidly spins around, trapping opponents and damaging them with a series of [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|discus clotheslines]] and [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Spinning back fist|spinning backfists]] before assuming a [[wikipedia:Spreadeagle (position)|spread-eagle position]] to launch them. On the ground, Dr. Tornado allows Dr. Mario to slightly move left or right, while button mashing will make him leap into the air. In the air, button mashing immediately after the apex of a jump will make him ascend, thus helping his recovery. However, aerial Dr. Tornado can only be used once for recovery: if it is used at the apex of his first jump, using it at the apex of his second jump will result in him descending instead of ascending. Despite hitting on frame 10 and having 34 frames of ending lag, its loop hits' usage of the [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] enable it to reliably trap opponents. Although its last hit has a very low damage output, it possesses very high knockback scaling, [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]], and launches opponents at 45°. These traits enable it to function as a very potent, albeit risky off-stage edge-guarding option, as it will KO middleweights at 82% while near Final Destination's left/right [[blast line]]s in the ''3DS'' version, and at 75% in the ''Wii U'' version. It resembles the {{s|mariowiki|Spin Jump}}.

|dsc1desc=Covers much more vertical distance, especially when button mashed, and has slightly less start-up lag. Unlike Dr. Tornado, it consists of a [[wind]]box and a hitbox, the latter of which deals twice as much damage and much more knockback than Dr. Tornado's last hit. Altogether, these traits make it much more efficient for recovering and edge-guarding compared to Dr. Tornado, as it KOs middleweights at 49% while near Final Destination's left/right blast lines in the ''3DS'' version. However, it does not cover any horizontal distance, cannot punish rolls because of its windbox, and has more ending lag.

|dsc2desc=Deals much more damage and has much higher knockback. Its first hit has deceptive range and is a semi-spike, which allows it to hinder approaches. Conversely, its last hit launches opponents vertically and is extremely powerful, as it KOs middleweights at 72% from anywhere on Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. However, its first hit does not KO middleweights until 151% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, whereas its second hit is very difficult to land because of its first hit's long duration. In addition, it has much more start-up and ending lag, which make it unusable for recovering or edge-guarding.

|fsdesc=Rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to generate and launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path. It functions identically to [[Mario Finale]], but deals slightly more damage.

|desc=A large stack of {{s|mariowiki|Megavitamin}}s appears on-stage. Another Megavitamin then lands on the top, causing a chain reaction which disintegrates the entire stack, revealing Dr. Mario behind them. Initially, Dr. Mario appears to be thinking with his eyes closed, but then opens his eyes with a surprised expression once the entire stack of Megavitamins disappears.

==In competitive play==

===Notable players===

<!--If you are planning to add a player you consider to be notable, please provide tournament results in some shape or form in the edit summary (be it a link to a results thread or bracket of placing high in a tournament of other notable players or a video of them beating a notable player). Winning tournaments without notable players present is generally not enough to warrant a spot.-->

 

 

Upon ''SSB4''{{'}}s release, Dr. Mario's slower mobility, lack of reliable KO set-ups, lower damage output, worsened combo game and recovery, and his inability to successfully adapt to ''SSB4''{{'}}s game physics collectively saw him widely perceived as a low-tier or even bottom-tier character. Despite his poor perception, {{Sm|Nairo}} surprisingly utilized Dr. Mario for some matches at [[MLG World Finals 2015]] alongside {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}}, with a notable example being a set against {{Sm|ESAM}} that concluded with Nairo winning 3-0 against him in Losers Finals after using Dr. Mario to defeat ESAM's {{SSB4|Pikachu}} for the first two matches, and his {{SSB4|Samus}} for their final match. Other professionals, such as {{Sm|2ManyCooks}}, would also proceed to achieve decent results with him.

 

Despite these flashes of success and vocal support of Dr. Mario because of his Super Jump Punch combos, his back aerial granting him a niche over Mario in very specific matchups, and his frame data being mostly identical to {{SSB4|Mario}}'s, Dr. Mario's metagame has remained stagnant. This is because of both his tournament results and representation being considered among the most sparse in the game, even more so than a few characters ranked below him. These aspects have been reflected in his tier placement, in which he was ranked 45th on the first [[tier list]], before dropping to 48th on the second tier list.

 

Due to Dr. Mario's representation and results still remaining very sparse, as well as his best player, 2ManyCooks, dropping him in favor of Mario, he is now ranked 51st on the third and current tier list. However, it is unlikely that Dr. Mario will drop any further down the tier list, largely because of his strengths being greater than those of the characters ranked below him.

 

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''In the 1990 puzzle game Dr. Mario, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to take a shot at that whole "medicine" thing. In this game, he's a balanced fighter who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.''

::{{flag|pal}} ''In Dr. Mario, released in Europe in 1991, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to have a bash at the whole medicine thing. In this game, he's an all-rounder who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.''

{{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Dr. Mario 10/1990|console2=Wii|game2=Dr. Mario Online Rx 05/2008}}

:'''Dr. Mario (Alt.)'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his MD slows his speed and lowers his jump. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his heavy coat affects his speed and jumping. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.''

{{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Dr. Mario 10/1990|console2=Wii|game2=Dr. Mario Online Rx 05/2008}}

:'''Doctor Finale'''

::''In Dr. Mario's Final Smash, he spreads his arms wide and then lets loose a pair of giant vitamin capsules that spiral through the air, taking out any pesky "viruses" in their path. The wide range makes it tough for foes to avoid, and opponents they strike will take multiple hits, possibly even being pushed right off the screen!''

DrMarioTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)

DrMarioTrophyWiiU.png|Classic (Wii U)

DrMarioAltTrophyWiiU.png|Alt. (Wii U)

DrFinaleTrophyWiiU.png|[[Doctor Finale]]

==In [[Event Match]]es==

===Solo Events===

* '''[[All-Star Battle: Secret]]''': Dr. Mario is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents have been unlockable characters in previous ''Super Smash Bros.'' games.

* '''[[Doctor Schmoctor]]''': As {{SSB4|Wario}}, the player must defeat Dr. Mario before Wario's health is depleted via [[flower]]ing.

===Co-op Events===

* '''[[Viral Visitors]]''': Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Peach}} must defeat four [[Kirby (SSB4)|Kirbys]].

* '''[[The Ultimate Battle]]''': Two players select a character and must defeat the entire roster.

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-1.jpg|Dr. Mario in {{forwiiu}}.

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-8.jpg|Using [[Doctor Finale]], his [[Final Smash]], on {{SSB4|Olimar}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, and {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}}.

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-9.jpg|His [[on-screen appearance]].

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-10.jpg|Using [[Megavitamins]] on two Kirbys, in reference to the {{s|mariowiki|virus}}es from his [[Dr. Mario (game)|eponymous game]].

*Dr. Mario, {{SSB4|Bowser}} and {{SSB4|Lucina}} are the only characters who are not playable in a solo event unless selected.

*Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Lucario}} are the only characters that lack a [[meteor smash]] of any kind, including [[unconventional meteor smash]]es.

*Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Pac-Man}} are the only characters who have a taunt that aesthetically changes each time it is performed. In Dr. Mario's case, his side taunt creates a randomly colored [[Megavitamins|Megavitamin]] each time it is performed.